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Scorpions' Adams comes through in clutch

Scorpions' Adams comes through in clutch

By Robert Emrich
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Special to MLB.com |

Orioles prospect Ryan Adams singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning Tuesday as the Scottsdale Scorpions opened the season with a 4-3 victory over the Peoria Saguaros.

Former first-round pick Charlie Culberson (Giants) singled with two outs in the eighth and Xavier Avery (Orioles) kept the inning going by walking. Adams, a 2006 second-round pick, took a 1-0 pitch from Charlie Leesman (White Sox) into left field for his only hit of the night.

Adams is coming off his best season as a pro. Playing for Double-A Bowie, he set career highs with 15 homers, 68 RBIs and 158 hits. The 23-year-old infielder shared the Eastern League lead with 43 doubles and was named a Postseason All-Star.

Nationals prospect Derek Norris kept the Scorpions (1-0) in it early, scoring their first run in the fourth. The 21-year-old catcher drew a leadoff walk and came home on Culberson's bases-loaded single.

With Scottsdale trailing, 2-1, in the fifth, Norris slugged a two-run homer. He was 1-for-2 with a pair of free passes after leading the Carolina League with 89 walks.

Diamondbacks farmhand Daniel Stange (1-0) got the win after allowing two hits over two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Adam Jorgenson (Rockies) put the potential tying run on third with one out in the ninth, then struck out Chris Parmelee (Twins) and Dave Sappelt (Reds) to record the save.

Former first-rounder Devin Mesoraco (Reds) went 3-for-4 and provided all the offense for the Saguaros (0-1) with a two-run homer in the first and an RBI single in the sixth.

White Sox prospect Jared Mitchell also was 3-for-4 and scored twice in his first game since tearing a tendon in his ankle during Spring Training. The 23rd overall pick in the 2009 Draft was also caught stealing and picked off.

Leesman (0-1) yielded one run on two hits in one inning after Rays prospect Alex Cobb tossed three shutout frames for Peoria.

Robert Emrich is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.